JedNik

Could you provide a link for that? Just curious because when I look at their requirements (http://about.usps.com/careers/employment-requirements.htm), it only says you must be a lawful permanent resident.

Edit: Nevermind, found it. I should have just continued reading...

OH What a BUMMER! I live in a super small, rancher town, so it's the only job I would actually enjoy! (better than the IGA deli!) UGH. So frustrating because what good is my work authorization card if some jobs you have to be a permanent resident/above that?!

Then file it now with a copy of your I-485 NOA1. It's still free. It will be issued within 90 days.

Oh I already went ahead and filed it, with a copy of my I-485 NOA1. Just haven't heard anything yet.

Hi All,

I'm in kind of a horrible state of mind right now. We had out Interview on Jan 27th 2014. The officer mentioned that civil surgeon had forgotten to mark some of the test results on the first page. I immediately asked her if I should submit the form again from the Civil Sugeon and she said she will call the doctor and clarify.

2 week after this we receive and (Notice of Intent to Deny ) that out application will be denied if we do not submit the medical records all filled out correctly within 30 days. And we sent them from the Doctor or sealed up on the same day. Its been 4 weeks since we did that and we have not got any updated information

Can anyone here tell me what I can do. ?

You need to make your own thread/post.

Did you submit form I-131 when you submitted the I-485 and I-765?

NO

I had misunderstood the directions and thought that it was extra money for those forms...back when I filed, I had assumed that it wouldn't take THIS long! And then my grandpa got really sick for a while, so I called regarding my case, and then someone informed me that I should have filed for the I-131 and I-765 at the same time as my I485 as the $1070 included the two forms. So I filed them back in Oct. Was super frustrated at how misleading the information on the website was.

But, Lesson learned!

First off, the AP you should've DEF received by now...Mine I applied for on November 18th, and exactly at the 90 day mark I hadn't received it, so I started calling USCIS every single morning at 9am and documented exactly who I spoke with. I then filed for Ombudsman, (which I recommend you do), I also contacted our areas senator and congressman...Within 4 days of doing this - my card was in "production"....not sure if it was a coincidence OR if my reaching out made it faster, but you have rights and should fight every way to get them.

I am getting my GC interview april 10th, which will make 5 months since we applied for AOS/AP/EAD...So I am SO sorry you're having to wait this long, if it were me I would lose my SH*T.

I would recommend contacting people higher up, ESP in regards to the AP because that is absolutely ridiculous...Unless there is an issue with your case?

Hopefully this helps, and I applaud you for being so patient!

Thank you! I actually Just called the senate/congressman and they are going to 'push things'. I hope!! So thank you!! I normally wouldn'tcare about it taking this long but my sister is getting married in June and the LAST thing I want is to be sitting at home while she's off getting married!!

As HK12 stated, your AP is on your EAD card if you filed them together. Check the fine print on your card. As for waiting, it is hit or miss. There is a delay in general. We filed March 28th 2013. First, we received the "potential interview waiver letter" stating that our case might be delayed 6 months from the date of the letter. 6 months came and went. Put in service request and was given a letter basically stating the same thing except the delay was supposedly 6 months from the date of this letter now. That wasn't going to cut it so I requested again a month later. I got a new letter vaguely stating nothing but our case is "pending adjudication" sorry about the delays blah blah blah. On the other hand, there are people who filed after us and got approved already. Some, if not all, had interviews which generally speeds up the process. Still, this claim of adjudicating cases as they are received is apparently wrong and irrelevant. Being patient is not a problem for us. I've kept my mouth shut knowing what to expect. However, the lack of transparency and vagueness in excuses for delays is simply wrong. What a mess.

Ya, my card is just a work one only. (Not valid for re-entry) it says. Bummer !

Ya it is SO hit and miss, super random and inconsistent i've come to realize. I've been fairly patient, but today I went to apply for a job and couldn't get the job because i'm not a permanent resident...yet I have my EAD..go figure...... and I have a sister getting married in June so I don't want to be waiting the week before for my paperwork! Sucky! Immigration is a hassle! (BUT, so worth it, right!!)

Nowadays most EAD's/AP's are combo cards. Have you checked your EAD? Does is say "Serves as I-512 Advance Parole" on the lower right hand side of the card?

As for processing times, I would guess you are in the midst of the backlog at the NBC. You could try to involve your local congressman or senator. There are lots of other members on here who are also waiting (some since the end of 2012).

No, my card says in the right hand corner "not valid for re-entry" bummer that I didn't get a 2 in one deal!! I got excited for a second ha!

I could try and contact the senator/congressman. Don't know how easy they are to get ahold of but definitely worth the try! Thanks for the suggestion!

But I do feel that we are just in the backlog. My fiance (k1) visa took 9 months to approve instead of the 5 months. ANd now i'm at 9 months again! Think I filed just at a bad time!

You did not come on a K1 visa, did you (from your timeline I assume you didn't)? That is why you went through an interview at your local office. Many of us who have come to the States on a K1 visa are being waived from the interview and our cases stay at the NBC until they are approved, which unfortunately takes considerably longer than if we had had an interview at our local offices. I assume this is what is happening to OP.

I did come on a k1 visa...may have to check to see what my timeline says!

I did get a waiver saying I may NOT need an interview..but that was back in Nov so I still have a few months left to 'wait' it out. My sister is getting married in June back in canada, so i'm just hoping hoping I can have paperwork by then!

Hey just wondering if anyone (June 2013 filer) is still waiting?

I filed my AOS June 10, got an RFE July 26, Biometrics July16 and have heard NOTHING since.
I would check the processing dates and my local office (Helena MT) was once on March 2013, and then back to Aug 2012, and then now it's at 4 months. I've called, and still haven't heard anything. They said they sent a service request, a few weeks ago but nothing yet.
I'm getting SUPER frustrated as I've gotten my EAD in Dec which I applied for in Oct, but haven't got my AP which also was filed in OCT. My sister is getting married in June and i'm just hoping I have my paperwork by then!

I went to apply for a job today with the USPS (postal service) and just my luck that you have to have permanent residency to get the job. My Employment authorization card isn't enough.

UGH!
Sorry for the rant, but i'm curious as if there's anyone out there in the same boat as us!

Hello everyone,

How long roughly did you wait for your AP to be approved?

Mine has been "processing" since early January and i'm just curious as to how long it generally takes to hear if it has been approved or not.

Thank you

I filed Oct 28 2013 and still haven't been approved. I called once it was past the 90 days and they sent a service request. Basically all that did was told me that my paperwork is in line. ARG! The first time I had called USCIS about it, they told me that the processing date for the Nebraska Service Center where my paperwork was, was at sept. And so they couldn't do a request or anything. I called the next day and they put it through. Biggest frustration EVER: USCIS!

Good luck!

Hey all,

I filed for AOS, AP and EAD on November 18th, and I was just curious how accurate the wait time is on AP on the USCIS website. My case is at MSC and it has been 3 months, which is the usual wait time for an AP. I did have an RFE for my husbands tax information, but not sure that would delay my ability to travel? Anyways, was just curious how long after 3 months I should wait until I call and ask why I haven't received it? Just want to make sure I have it by April for my university exams and graduation...Other than that, I don't really NEED it anytime soon - but it would be nice to be able to travel home to see my family.

Thanks everyone,

Katie

I filed for my AOS June 10 2013, and had an RFE in July sometime. Haven't heard anything since. My local office says they're currently processing Jan 2012!! It actually had once been at Feb 2013, but went back somehow. I called and they told me that it doesn't go backwards. But it did. It's really such a pain calling USCIS because they realyl don't help you out. I've called 3x in 3 dif days and got 3 dif answers!

i filed my EAD and AP In oct (didn't realize I should have filed together) and my EAD got approved in mid Dec. Still waiting for my AP. They said to call back within 90 days of filing and then they can get a service request in.

GOod luck!

You submitted your application directly to the Helena MT USCIS office? Or do you think your file was transferred there? How do you know it's at the local office?

Oh it was transferred there (i'm assuming) when I call USCIS and give them my zip code, that's where they tell me my local office is. It's just the one closest to where I am at.

It's $1070. That includes your biometrics, and your EAD (work authorization) and AP (advanced parole) forms. I did not know that until like 4 months after waiting for my GC! So file all 3!!!

Is there anyone who has filed or had filed at the Helena MT office for their I-485? I had filed back in June 2013, and still haven't heard anything yet. I was watching the processing on the uscis website and it was at March 2013 for the longest time. I checked back yesterday and it's at January 2012!??!! I called USCIS and she just told me they don't backtrack. Which is BS because I most definitely saw it in 2013 and now in 2012.
Anyone Helena MT filers who are having any luck with their GC process?!

Thanks all!
And no, my case is still in the inital review case! Hopefully its shorter than 6 months though!

I got a letter today saying that my case is a potential interview waiver case! Bittersweet news! Bitter because it said it could be up to 6 months from the date (Nov 18) and sweet because it means no driving 7 hours for the interview, and that my case has been looked at recently!
I don't know if this has anything to do with the service requests that went through, or my request for an expedited case (I have a sick grandpa). But nonetheless, its nice to hear something, finally!
I'm a June 10 filer, and my local office (Helena, MT) is currently processing the March 15th applications. This letter said that it could be another 6 months which would nearly bring us to a year from when we filed! Yikes!

I was told that it would take upto 20 days for an expedite service...if they choose to expedite your case.

Congrats to all those who are getting good news! Wish it were the same for us...

Filed AOS June 10th. Our local office (Helena, MT) is currently processing February 15, 2013. UGH!!!!!!
I also filed for my EAD and AP, with a letter requesting for my AP to be expedited due to my sick grandpa. Hopefully they work this quickly. SO frustrating. I cannot wait for the 2 months free of USCIS.

Does anyone know at which time we can file for citizenship? I thought I had read that you can file for citizenship after 3 years of being married to US citizen...

I suggest that no one rely on "the website" except to get the forms and instructions. All the pertinent information is in the form instructions, if you had read that it would have helped.

Glad you got it sorted out. Sorry about your grandpa.

Yes, I agree COMPLETELY! Use the website for forms and instructions, NOTHING else! Even the processing times seem a little outta-whack!

I am extremely thankful for VJ and the ability to ask the questions I need and the help I can get! I hope others can use this too.

Thanks!

I filed both my AP and EAD the other day. Little did I know, that the fee for the AP is included in the I-485 fee already. Hope I hear good news sometime soon!

SO just in case anyone was as confused as we were when it came to the filing of all three AOS forms (k1) and such ....I'll try and summarize what we learned after talking to a 2tier lady at USCIS...

-I came to USA on a K1 visa.

-Married may 6/2013

-filed AOS on June 10. Didn't file the EAD or AP because I was in no hurry to work or leave the country. Fast forward 4-5 months...my grandpa is fairly sick, came close to dying.I have no GC, or anything.

We also didn't file the EAD and AP because there was a $370 fee for the AP and we didn't think that was necessary, my family could come visit me, and i'd be fine. We (stupidly) didn't take into account my grandpa suddenly getting sick (he was healthy before).
After calling USCIS and talking to 3 different people, three different days, this is what I learned!

-Part of the $1070 fee for AOS included the AP (the website made taht Very unclear) so we had already paid for it, and should have filed it. (oops)

-the USCIS website says that if you travel out of USA on an AP, that when you come back in you may have trouble at the border and it could be a hassle. According to the 2nd tier lady I talked to, there should be No problem whatsover. (Which makes sense)
-the AP and EAD are basically a temporary green card (so instead of them approving JUST GC's, they have to approve EAD+AP's...more work? I think so!)

So I filed the AP and EAD. The USCIS lady I talked to said I can write a cover letter requesting my paperwork to be expedited because of my sick grandpa. You also have to some how 'prove' your emergency case...so I got a letter written to my husband and I explaining the last week or 2 of my grandpa's health and time in the hospital. Hopefully it works.
All in all, I currently have no green card, no Advanced parole, and a dying grandpa back home in canada! I have filed for EAD and AP and with the AP written a cover letter requesting why I think I deserve my case to be expedited!
We have found that the USCIS website kind of contradicts what the USCIS 2nd tier people tell you when you call.
I was also told that I likely won't get my greencard until next year sometime. And that my local office is currently processing February 12, 2013 and i'm a June 10 filer 2013. SO that's a tad discouraging! I was hoping to get home by xmas but now that's looking doubtful! I absolutely CANNOT wait for my greencard so I am USCIS FREE FOR 2 YEARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Anyways, hope this is a help to someone out there!

My husband had also been in school (5.5 years) so therefore his tax returns showed next to nothing. However, they did meet the requirements. Your job and supporting evidence showing your job, should be good. They should be able to figure out that you were in school and made very little but have a good job to prove you make a good income now! Good luck!

So I have called USCIS 2x this week and so far I have gotten two very different answers for what i've asked.
I'll back up...

Filed I 485 (previously came here on a k1 visa and got married in may) JUNE 10 2013

Got an RFE July 26, responded and USCIS said I should hear something within 60 days....Sept26 comes. Have heard nothing

So I called. They sent a service request and told me I should hear something within 15 days. 15 days pass. So I call (Tuesday) and that lady tells me its actually 30 days and to call back. Called today and the lady said that they're all backed up and wanting us to be patient. But if we don't hear anything within 30 days that then they can send another service request. I asked if it's the 30 days starting when and she basically said today since we've talked or 30 days since they filed my request. (talk about not knowing your job)

And then she proceeds to give me more information. She asked what my zipcode is and tells me that the local office is Currently processing February 12th 2013 filers. I almost laugh because a) I live in Montana. Not a large state, population wise (not even 1 million) b) I have never ONCE seen a foreigner here, unless they're all Canadian/European/white. I have never yet come across someone on VJ who the US citizen was from Montana... Montana is one of the least populated states yet is currently working on Feb 12 applicants while San Franc CA is on april 29....go figure
Just for kicks I went onto the USCIS processing times. Helena's average is about 6.5 months. I looked at Buffalo NY and it was 5.2 months. Something doesn't add up here.........
And then the lady told me that It may take 4 months for me to get my greencard. (I nearly cried. I thought FOR SURE i'd be able to go back home (Just canada!) for xmas.) and then I asked about advanced parole since we hadn't filed.
I looked into it on their website...sounds like even if you file, you may not get it, and even if you get it you may have a huge amount of hassle being let back into the usa.
Does anybody have any input on this? Is there generally an 'average' amount of time it takes for GC approval? Is it typically quicker than the I-129f application?
I am so just sad that I likely won't be able to go home for xmas AP or not...don't know if I want to take the risk of getting AP and not being let back in the country.

So tempted to just head back to Canada! (Jokes, but if the US gov't/obamacare doesn't get their act together.............) haha !

you could always file for AP, now, and the fee is still waived when you include a copy of your I-485 receipt notice.

Really? I did not know that! I may just do that considering a sick grandpa plus we all know that the 5 months, or 8 months to approval isn't always so! Thanks!

So. Update. My grandpa is actually doing better now, thankfully! Over the weekend it was Not looking good. Hence why I looked into an getting my case expedited. I'm SO glad he's doing better, also because i'm pretty sure that thanks to USCIS I wouldn't have been able to get home in time. I called today, and basically I would have to prove he had died (How the flip do I do that???!) and then it would take a minimum of 5 days to expedite my case, if we're lucky. I was absolutely appalled. Like really? They can't do it any quicker? I'm just lucky I'm from canada and can drive there in a few days or fly. But I can't imagine what it must be like for those who live overseas, have to fly, and take a couple days to get there. I would have thought that USCIS would have a little bit of a heart, or sympathy and a quicker option. Like if it takes up to 20 days (which I fully believe considering how slow it takes for everything else) who would hold a funeral that long? Good grief!!
anyways, i'm soo thankful he's doing good, at least for the time being and hope I can get my GC soon! I had gotten a service request since it's been over the 60 days in which we were informed we would hear something, and then with the service request they said I would hear something within 15 days. That passed, so I called and this person told me 30 days.

Does anyone else feel that when you call them, that what you hear COMPLETELY depends on who you talk to? And that there is no protocall or anything that they follow? It seems like every person tells me different things!
ANYWAYS. That's my rant. can't wait for the 2 year gc for when I don't have to deal with uscis anymore!

if you are thinking to use a telephone -

then get a Tier 2 human, tell them you need to arrange for emergency AP. It's sad you not file the I-131 with the I-485 - if you did, prior, then you'd already have an AP card or document.

Are you choosing to 'call' because of the 7 hour drive? I can't say it's that big of an emergency, if you weren't prepared to knock the doors down on Tuesday, when they are open again.

Calling, mostly, is a waste of time, to get an expedited AP card/document. This will take some time, as well, as you not file the I-131 prior, and you'll need biometrics done for that.

Anyway, figure a week to 20 days, if yer able to engage a Human at the local USCIS office to actively do something for you. If it's same day, well, you were blessed, for a moment.

Actually? Yikes. They have so sympathy when it comes to family emergencies.

But yes, I would choose to call first because I would hate to drive the 7 hours just in "hopes" they would give me the greenlight. I'll call Monday and see.

I have had my biometrics done, so hopefully that helps my situation.

Thanks!

Did you apply for Advance Parole when you applied for adjustment of status? Regardless, you can go in to an infopass appointment now and ask for emergency Advance Parole with evidence of your emergency. They are not guaranteed to give you one though.

I did not apply for Advance Parole. I was in no hurry of going home, and prior to this my grandpa was doing fine.

Do you know for what reason they won't give it to me?